Seat back adjustment device for golf carts and other vehicles

ABSTRACT

A seat back adjustment device that has a cushion ( 2 ) which is vertically positioned against a seat backrest ( 6 ) of a golf cart ( 1 ). A strap with a distal end ( 7 ) is attached to a top ( 14 ) of the cushion and extends over the backrest and is secured at its distal end ( 4 ) to a vehicle by grommet ( 9 ) and anchor ( 5 ) or around the backrest to a bottom ( 15 ) of the cushion ( 2 ). A buckle ( 3 ) inserted in the strap allows for adjusting the length of the strap or for removing the cushion ( 2 ) when it is not needed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to vehicle seats and more particularly to a device for enabling persons to more comfortably reach the operational pedals of a golf cart or other vehicle.

Currently, many vehicles, particularly golf carts and heavy equipment, have fixed seats which makes it difficult for shorter persons, especially women, to reach the operational pedals of such vehicles. As a result, it is nearly impossible or at least very uncomfortable for such persons to operate golf carts and similar vehicles as a person must recline substantially or move forward his or her body in order to reach the operational pedals of the vehicle.

Thus, a need exists for a device that will enable one to more comfortably reach the pedal of golf carts and other vehicles having fixed position seats.

The relevant prior art includes the following patents:

Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue Date 2,591,306 Sherman Apr. 01, 1952 2,708,475 Krewson May 17, 1955 3,542,421 Ambrose Nov. 24, 1970 4,105,249 Van Vilet, Jr. Aug. 08, 1978 4,471,993 Watson Sep. 18, 1984 4,998,311 Ernst Mar. 12, 1991 Des. 317,541 Carwile Jun. 18, 1991 Des.383,027 Riedell Sep. 02, 1997 DE004402962A1 Reneker Feb. 16, 1995 None of the above prior art discloses a device having the same structure or purpose as Applicant's invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device to enable shorter persons to reach the operational pedals of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that does not require modifications to a seat of the vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device that is adjustable in position against the backrest of the seat of a vehicle.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide such a device that is securable to the motor vehicle.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a device that is removable when not needed.

The present invention accomplishes the above and other objects by providing a seat back adjustment device having a cushion of a predetermined size and thickness and a top, bottom, and two sides which rest against a front of the seat back of a vehicle. The cushion has a strap having a proximal end attached to the top of the cushion for maintaining the cushion in the vertical position against the front of the seat back of the vehicle. The cushion has a means of securing it in the vehicle located at a distal end of the strap. The means for securing the cushion on the distal end of the strap may comprise a grommet for attachment to a floor surface in back of the backrest of the vehicle. Another means of securing the cushion is by having the distal end of the strap attached around the seat backrest to the bottom of the cushion. The device further has a buckle to allow the length of the strap to be adjusted so as to position the cushion at a particular vertical height above the seat and/or to remove the cushion when it is not needed.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention shown in use in a golf cart;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the device in use on the seat of a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device being fixedly secured to a vehicle in back of a seat backrest;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing the device being secured around the backrest of the vehicle; and

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the device by itself.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

1. golf cart vehicle 10. quick release lever

2. cushion 11. strap length adjustment

3. buckle 12. loose strap end

4. strap distal end 13. vehicle floor

5. attachment anchor 14. top of cushion

6. seat backrest 15. bottom of cushion

7. strap proximal end 16. strap

8. seat 17. strap sides

9. grommet

Referring to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows the present invention in use in a golf cart 1. The cushion 2 having a top 14, bottom 15 and two sides 17 of the invention is vertically positioned against a backrest 6 of a seat 8 of the golf cart 1. It is maintained in a vertical position by a strap 16 attached at its proximal end 7 to a top 14 of the cushion to the strap as a means of securing it to a vehicle to its distal end 4 which may be secured by anchor 5 to the floor of the golf cart behind a golf cart seat preferably a buckle 3 which contains a quick release as well as a buckle 3 is utilized and serves two purposes. One purpose is to be able to adjust a length of the distal end 4 of the strap 16 so as to position the cushion 2 against the backrest 6 at the desired position which could be higher if the person prefers so the bottom of the cushion 15 is slightly elevated above the seat 8. The second purpose of the buckle is so that the cushion 2 can be removed from the vehicle if desired. Notwithstanding the preference for a buckle to allow removal of the cushion 2, the cushion can be permanently affixed although the strap may not have such a buckle meaning the cushion would be permanently affixed to the vehicle by the strap 16 and merely be placed over the seat against the seat backrest 6 as needed. The device works as it moves a person's hips closer to the operational pedals, therefore, enabling one with shorter legs to reach the pedals.

In FIG. 2, the cushion 2 is shown from a frontal view against the backrest 6 of a golf cart seat 8. The device is shown with a strap 16 with a proximal end 7 attached to the top 14 of the cushion which has a quick release and adjustment buckle 3 attached between the proximal end 7 and distal end 4 of the strap. Although the cushion 2 is shown in the FIGS. 1-5 as rectangular in shape, it may take any other shape such as square, circular, triangular and so forth.

In FIG. 3, the device is shown with all the previous components previously described with the strap 16 having the distal end 4 attached to a floor 13 by grommet 9 and anchor 5.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment having means for securing the cushion to around the seat backrest 6, those means consisting of the distal end 4 of the strap 16 secured to the bottom 15 of the cushion 2.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows the device by itself in the embodiment of FIG. 3. This embodiment of cushion 2 is shown as being attached at the top 14 to proximal end 7 of the strap 16 and having a buckle 3 with release lever 10 and strap length adjustment 11 sections. The distal end 4 of the strap 16 has a grommet 9 which would be secured to an anchor, preferably to the floor of the vehicle. The strap would be adjustable by pulling on the loose end 12 of the strap. The only difference between this embodiment and that shown in FIG. 4 is that the distal end of the strap 4 is attached to the bottom 15 of the cushion 2 in FIG. 4.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, all improvements and modifications to this invention within the scope or equivalents of the claims are included as part of this invention. 

1. A seat back adjustment device comprising: a cushion having a predetermined size, a top, a bottom and a same thickness from the top to the bottom; a strap attached at a proximal end to the top of the cushion to maintain the cushion in a vertical position against a front of a seat backrest of a vehicle; and a means for securing the cushion located at a distal end of the strap against the seat backrest of the vehicle.
 2. The seat back adjustment device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the cushion comprises a grommet at a distal end of the strap for attachment to an anchor behind the seat of the vehicle.
 3. The seat back adjustment device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the cushion in the vehicle comprises the strap being wrapped around the seat backrest of the vehicle and attached at the distal end to the bottom of the cushion.
 4. The seat back adjustment device of claim 1 further comprising: a quick release and strap length adjustment buckle inserted between the proximal and distal ends of the strap to allow the strap to be adjusted in length and to remove the cushion as desired.
 5. The seat back adjustment device of claim 2 further comprising: a quick release and strap length adjustment buckle inserted between the proximal and distal ends of the strap to allow the strap to be adjusted in length and to remove the cushion as desired.
 6. The seat back adjustment device of claim 3 further comprising: a quick release and strap length adjustment buckle inserted between the proximal and distal ends of the strap to allow the strap to be adjusted in length and to remove the cushion as desired.
 7. A method of enabling a person to more comfortably reach operational pedals of a vehicle using a device comprising a cushion having a predetermined size and thickness, a top and bottom, a strap attached at a proximal end to the top of the cushion to maintain the cushion in the vertical position against the front of the seat backrest of the vehicle and the means for securing the cushion located at a distal end of the strap against the seat backrest of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of: placing said cushion against the front of the seat backrest of the vehicle and the strap over the top of the seat backrest with a means of securing the cushion at its distal end; and a person positioning his or her back against the cushion. 